Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle Fundraiser Hosted by 10 Women Mayors Draws Overflow Crowd

A crowd of more than 100, including First Lady Tammy Murphy, turned up at Sheelen’s Crossing in Fanwood Wednesday evening to show their support for Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, who is seeking re-election to a second term in November.

The packed outdoor event was hosted by Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and a “sisterhood” of women mayors from Union County and beyond.

Among the co-hosts from Union County were mayors Kathleen Prunty of Cranford, Nora Radest of Summit, Sara Todisco of Garwood, Dahlia Vertreese of Hillside and Angie Devanney of Berkeley Heights and Linda Karlovitch of Kenilworth. South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, Lambertville Mayor Julia Fahl and Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach also co-hosted the event.

Numerous other elected officials also turned out to support the mayor’s fundraiser, including state Sen. and Union County Democratic Chair Nick Scutari, Union County Commissioner Chair Al Mirabella, Union County Commissioners Rebecca Williams, Bette Jane Kowalski, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Angela Garretson, and Andrea Staten as well as Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp.

First Lady Murphy cited Mayor Brindle’s “incredible” efforts during the “unprecedented pandemic” as one of the reasons she deserves a second term.

“We need to make sure she is re-elected so she can continue to transform and revitalize Westfield,” the First Lady said.

Mayor Brindle, who topped a ticket that swept Republican Mayor Andrew Skibitsky and four GOP council members of office in 2017, is running with the same team consisting of Council Members Linda Habgood, Mike Dardia, David Contract and Dawn Mackey.

In 2019, three more Democrats were elected to the council, giving Democrats a 7-1 council majority after generations of Republican domination.

Mayor Brindle said one of the reasons she is seeking a second term is to continue to model “ethical, courageous and responsible political leadership for a generation of boys and girls who have every reason to be cynical.”

“I believe that more women in leadership positions in both the public and the private sector is the key to unlocking economic progress and creating a more civil society,” Mayor Brindle said. “Now more than ever, representation matters. I’m committed to doing my part and by helping me and my team get elected, you are doing yours.”